Not entering the portal. The school made a video of them staring longingly at the field and visiting their lockers.
There is also a new aggiepride podcast where Plough talks about them coming back.

Rhode Island ran successfully against us, 6.3 yards a carry after only 3.2 against Central Connecticut.
Teams late in the season thought rushing defense was our weakness.

Sievers is listed as 6’0” and Porter is listed 6’1. Both 220lb. I’m not saying that’s a factor in whether they should start, I think they are likely our two best inside linebackers, certainly the most experienced and good tacklers too.
SailorGabe report that Madruga was a standout just made me curious where he was playing, although last year he was a backup at rush linebacker, behind Goligoski and Garretson when healthy. Lots of experience at that spot.

Is Madruga playing an edge position, or an inside linebacker? If edge, thats where Goligoski and Garretson play. Some were thinking we need a larger inside linebacker than P.Connors and Sievers.

Lots of names not expected to be near the top of the depth chart.
Fanua and Thurston didn’t play much last season. Are Jace Rodriguez and David Main practicing?
Mckenzie is a freshman walk-on, good for him to be in the mix.

Thanks for the info.

Where is AJ Hasson practicing? He has been a center at both Washington State and here. He has the near ideal dimensions of a tackle.

Did you notice who was playing right tackle? Porotesano started eight games there last year, plus Mercer. Who is there now?

Who did you see playing left tackle? Who was blowing by him?
We have a two year starter at center so I’m not too concerned about that.

Anyone more lengthy or heavy either hasn’t played much as a position player, or has been an edge linebacker. The guy who was on the depth chart behind Rutchena was Cory McEnroe 6’1” 225 and played mostly on special teams. Maybe a freshman or sophomore who hasn’t played will win the job and that would be great. It’s always great when someone who hasn’t played surprises.

Not announced. The feeling is that their names added in the recently updated roster points to that,

i assume Porter Connors and Jackson Sievers will be the inside linebackers. if so I’d count that as both returning starters.

Last years D was disrupted by multiple injuries. Healthy it might have been better than this years but had a lot of new faces and then got decimated.
This years unit, if the Connors are healthy have veteran starters in the system at every position with the exception of a couple of spots in the secondary. Jaden Few played an unusual amount as a Freshman behind Psyk, and will probably fill that spot. Everyone else on D line and LB will be returning starter, corners are returning, and at safety there is Rex. So i think this years D will be better as a unit, if they remain healthy.

Interesting that they relate this to the Mountain West. They need this to keep pace with the Big Sky leaders as well since half the teams opted in last year.

It seems they replace the turf about every 7 years. The current turf was installed in 2022. In a few years they are going to be faced with replacing the turf, then they can consider the difference in cost.

i like Marquis Bell 6’ 205#. Made a great interception with his arm in a cast. Played safety at Liberty. Did quite well at cornerback.

A major piece of news would be who among the players who were injured are recovered and participating in practices.
The secondary has some spots open, especially if Rex isn’t fully recovered, both safeties and nickel starters graduated.

I think not being eligible for a few years is a detriment for recruiting. Now that is removed. I think not being playoff eligible for a few years when Davis transitioned to FCS hurt Davis:

Wide receiver pass plays were a feature in thr Carson Crawford era. There was one for 56 yards in 2018 in the historic win over Montana. No telling how good Xzavior can be.

Spring game is after only 8 practices. I think Plough doesn’t make a choice until fall camp.